Reno Inspiring Connections Outdoors

 
Hug High Snowshoe Trip Group Shot

Reno’s Inspiring Connections Outdoors (ICO) program brings young people to the mountains they look at every day, but may have never visited! 

ICO promotes individual growth through group activities, environmental and outdoor skills education, and leadership development for youth and young adults.   We partner with schools, community groups and mission-driven organizations to provide safe and enjoyable outdoor adventures and experiences and to create a local youth-centered outdoor and environmental community. We are focusing on providing targeted equitable access to the natural world so that all young people in our community appreciate and care about our natural environment.

You are encouraged to join us at the third annual:

 Reno Inspiring Connections Outdoors

Retreat and Outdoor Leadership Training 

November 15-17, 2024

at the

Historic Clair Tappaan Lodge

Soda Springs (Donner Summit), California

Come join kindred spirits as we engage in the Sierra Club’s Outdoor Leadership Training with a focus on getting young people outside. Learn how to facilitate safe and engaging youth hiking, backpacking & snowshoeing trips as we hang out, eat, play, hike, & sing around the campfire!

Food, lodging, training and fun are free! (Donations are encouraged.)

  • Interest, commitment & great attitude required. No experience needed. We encourage folks with little outdoor experience to come and learn with us. 
  • Participants are requested to attend two trips in 2025.

Click here for more details about the Retreat and Outdoor Leadership Training.

For further information about the Retreat, to volunteer, or to register, please contact ICO Chair, Rob Schamberg at robschamberg@gmail.com.


We provide the equipment, leaders and fun! 

ICO Reno leads snowshoeing, hiking, backpacking, whitewater rafting, camping, and rock climbing trips for youth and families from Northern Nevada. 

Become a Reno ICO Volunteer!

ICO is  a 100% Volunteer Organization .  Whether you are an adult volunteer or a youth participant, be prepared for FUN, DIVERSITY, and ENGAGEMENT with a goal of improving lives, feeding our passions and saving the world. 
 
Please visit Volunteers and Trip Leaders to learn more about our volunteer roles and how you can make a difference for young people and our environment.
 
For further information about volunteering for ICO, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Tracey Pomeroy at pomerot@gmail.com
 

Join the Reno ICO MeetUp Group!

The Reno ICO MeetUp is where you will find out about upcoming trips, trainings, and events. If you are a certified ICO Volunteer, our MeetUp group is where you will join on trips - This is where the most fun happens! Whether it is backpacking, snowshoeing, hiking or whitewater rafting, we will list all available slots for ICO volunteers on MeetUp. Also new in 2024, we are beginning the ICO Outdoor Leadership Series, which will include trainings, hikes, and other trips.  Click here to go to the Reno ICO MeetUp Group and sign up! (This is a private group which requires approval to join. It should take less than one week to get approval.)

Partner with Reno ICO - Outdoors for All!

Inspiring Connections Outdoors is all about breaking down barriers to get youth and adults out into the wilderness.  Going snowshoeing and backpacking requires specialized clothing and equipment - we provide everything: From snowshoes and backpacks to raingear, boots, and even socks.  Our clothing and equipment storeroom already has over 1,000 items and we can support up to 35 participants at any one time!  
 
Now that we have completed our clothing and equipment inventory, our only costs are for outdoor leadership training and supporting trips for our target population.  On average, it costs us $750 per day for backpacking, snowshoeing, hiking, and rafting trips for 10-25 participants. Trip expenses primarily include transportation and food. 
 
We are seeking donors to help with these costs. To make a donation, simply click here or on the red Donate Here button to the right to make a donation. If you are interested in joining our Outdoors for All Legacy Donors, making tax deductible annual donations of cash or appreciated stock, please contact Reno ICO Chair, Rob Schamberg at 202-412-0698 or robschamberg@gmail.com.
 
We are also seeking corporate partners to provide monetary grants, donations of new clothing and equipment, and sponsorships. Join Sierra Nevada Journeys as a Reno ICO Sponsor! To discuss these opportunities for your company, please contact Reno ICO Chair, Rob Schamberg, at robschamberg@gmail.com
 
Read the Reno ICO 2023 Annual Report!
 

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